Anisotropic Ostomy Wafer for Skin Movement and Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ostomy devices face challenges in providing both high adhesion and comfort due to the rigid nature of traditional adhesive and backing layers, which can cause stress on the abdominal skin during movement, and existing soft and flexible solutions are difficult to remove without excessive stretching.
Innovation Solution
An anisotropic adhesive wafer with a low modulus in the vertical direction to accommodate skin movement and high modulus in the horizontal direction for easy detachment, allowing the device to be flexible and comfortable while maintaining secure adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If aggressive high modulus adhesives and robust high modulus backing are used, then adhesion strength is improved, but device flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different modulus characteristics to different directions of the same wafer structure. The backing layer and adhesive layer are engineered to exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties, being more compliant in the vertical direction (parallel to skin surface) to accommodate skin movements, while maintaining higher stiffness in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to skin surface) to provide adequate adhesion strength and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures consisting of multiple layers with different mechanical properties. The backing layer comprises a combination of materials (e.g., foam layer, textile layer, film layer) that work together to achieve the desired anisotropic behavior. The adhesive layer is also formulated as a composite with specific viscoelastic properties that contribute to the overall directional compliance-strength balance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If low modulus adhesive and backing layers are used, then device flexibility and comfort are improved, but removal difficulty increases due to stretching and elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements directional quality differentiation within the wafer structure. The low modulus characteristics are specifically targeted at the vertical direction to enable skin compliance, while the horizontal direction maintains higher modulus to limit stretching during removal. This localized property assignment allows the device to be both comfortable during wear and manageable during removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric mechanical behavior in the wafer by creating anisotropy where the material properties differ along different axes. The backing layer and adhesive layer are designed with asymmetric stiffness distribution, being softer parallel to the skin surface and stiffer perpendicular to it, which fundamentally changes the removal dynamics compared to isotropic designs.
3Ease of operation
If anisotropic wafer design is implemented, then removal ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating a completely new complex anisotropic material system, the patent achieves the desired functionality by strategically designing the existing multi-layer wafer structure. Each layer (foam, textile, film, adhesive) is configured with specific properties and orientations that collectively produce the anisotropic behavior, avoiding the need for entirely new material science while still achieving the complexity reduction goal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anisotropic design ensures high comfort and minimal stretching during wear, while enabling easy removal with reduced stress on the device and skin, addressing the limitations of both rigid and soft ostomy devices.
Implementation Method 1
the wafer being more stretchable in a first direction than in a second direction
Implementation Method 2
the wafer is more stretchable in the vertical direction of the user than in the horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy collecting device for attachmentto the body comprising a collecting pouch and an adhesive wafer, the wafer comprises asoft adhesive layer and a backing layer wherein the wafer is more stretchable in a first direction than in a second direction. The anisotropic nature of the wafer facilitates a flexible wafer during use and secures easy removal.